For Tatsuya, this was the rare Sunday that he could spend at his leisure, though it wasn’t like he could go have fun in his uniform. Tatsuya and Miyuki opted against taking a detour to hit the stores and first came home.
Today, they weren’t using the motorcycle, but the bus instead. Sitting shoulder to shoulder like they usually did in the bus, Miyuki gloomily watched the side of her brother’s face as he watched the passing scenery.
In regards to this incident, Tatsuya was also in the throes of a headache. Rather than calling it a headache, he was berating himself to be more careful. Compared to normal, it was very rare for Tatsuya to beat himself up over what-ifs and maybes.
I wish he could discuss it with me, Miyuki thought.
She didn’t believe that she could help very much, nor did she believe that she had the power to alleviate her brother’s woes.
However, she still wanted to hear what concerned him. Even if she could not take away his burdens, at the very least she was capable of lessening his headache, Miyuki thought.
I wish he would do that, Miyuki prayed as she kept looking at the side of her brother’s face.
"I’m too naïve……"
Was this wish passed along to him? Tatsuya lightly murmured.
"Onii-sama?"
Keeping a tight grasp on her agitation and hopes, Miyuki pretended to be oblivious and naturally raised a question to Tatsuya. The words "what are you concerned about" were never asked, never stated.
"I thought the result didn’t concern me, so now I’m stuck in this sorry position. Everything is now reactionary. There are these clues at hand, but the core pieces are unknown."
While Tatsuya’s speech was rather vague, Miyuki instinctively knew what "clues" Tatsuya was referring to.
"You mean…… Lina’s situation?"
Tatsuya couldn’t help but widen his eyes at someone directly pinpointing what he was thinking about.
"What a pain…… I really have no secrets in front of Miyuki."
That’s not true! Miyuki furiously stifled the urge to scream from the back of her throat.
Often, Miyuki had no idea what Tatsuya was thinking. Nevertheless, Miyuki convinced herself not to vent her agitation on her brother and instead work towards understanding him.
"I knew from the very beginning what Lina’s goals were. I even had the opportunity to interrogate her, or forcibly manufacture the opportunity. Despite this, I left it by the wayside because I didn’t want to cause any upheaval in our lives and now have missed the opening."
Tatsuya wore a self-depreciating smile.
Miyuki withstood the pain in her heart and silently waited for her brother to continue.
"No…… I do know. Even if I had acted immediately, there’s no guarantee that suffering could have been avoided. There is the possibility that the situation could have worsened. But…… In the face of a friend being injured, I can’t help but consider what if……"
Hearing Tatsuya’s confession, this time Miyuki couldn’t help but smile. It wasn’t because her brother had bared his heart to her, but in regards to the contents of her brother’s words.
"Onii-sama….. You’ve grown kinder."
"Miyuki? What’s with this all of a sudden?"
"No…… Onii-sama was originally a kind person. It’s just a little hard to find sometimes."
"Sorry, but can you explain that to me in plainer terms?"
Seeing Tatsuya’s bemused expression, Miyuki already decided not to hide her smile any longer.
"So there are some things that even Onii-sama doesn’t understand. Even Onii-sama doesn’t understand himself?"
"Of course, I think you’re appraising me too highly. There are a myriad of things I don’t know, and my face is something I can see only with the help of a mirror. A created image with the right and left flipped."
"As expected of Onii-sama, you don’t try to put on a brave front here. In other words,"
Miyuki dramatically lowered her voice here.
Despite knowing that he was walking straight into his sister’s ploy, Tatsuya still strained his ears to hear.
"Onii-sama cannot forgive himself for letting Saijou-kun get hurt. While our time together has been limited, Onii-sama doesn’t want to do anything violent towards Lina, who has become our friend. Onii-sama, Miyuki is very happy. Happy because Onii-sama has these heartfelt feelings for someone other than myself. You have more humane emotions than you believed yourself to possess."
Tatsuya sat straight forward and closed his eyes.
Miyuki found it hilarious that her brother was adopting such an easily discernible way to disguise his embarrassment.
That he was willing to show this side of himself to her caused Miyuki to feel truly overjoyed.
"Yoshida-kun, we’re getting a reaction from Tokyo Tower Park. Presently, it is moving towards Iigura Crossing."
"Understood. I am currently located near Toranomon Station near Sakurada. I will proceed immediately to Iigura Crossing."
"Please get there in ten minutes."
"Understood. ETA is two minutes."
The transmission was cut short. They looked like they were going to make it this time. Understanding this, Mayumi let out a sigh of relief.
The result of the discussion prior to noon culminated in a system that had Mayumi responsible for information control while Katsuto and Erika led the mobile units. Everyone was clear on the fact that internal strife held no benefit for anyone.
Nonetheless, neither side was willing to take that first step forward, so everyone’s independent actions only resulted in the situation where they were hindering their own companions.
On that level, they really had to thank Tatsuya’s cloak and dagger play that forcibly established a stage where a compromise could be hammered out. –On Mayumi’s part, she was highly put out that Tatsuya was treating her like a child.
(Just you wait. I’m going to give you the bitterest chocolate ever on Valentine’s Day.)
Satisfied with the mental image of discomfiting Tatsuya, Mayumi turned her attention back to the display monitor.
Unfortunately, the transmitter Tatsuya supplied wasn’t very strong. To be precise, it was horrible, though it was true that the observation antennae could capture the signal waves.
However, in a metropolis well connected by the public transportation system, the target could cover a whole lot of ground in three hours.
Furthermore, the signal was only emitted once every ten minutes. In short, they had to catch the target within this time frame.
This time, it was only after they used the street cameras’ observation system that they found out for the first time that they could not pursue the vampire using the street cameras alone. Much like legends and fiction, the camera could not snap a picture of their head. Still, legends and fiction weren’t entirely mistaken. No matter how they adjusted the focal point, they could only get a murky picture of the vampire’s body.
This was especially the case above the neck. There was no way to differentiate facial features. The street camera system was designed to be a pursuit tool that was founded on the basis of facial recognition, so it was practically pointless if it could not differentiate facial features.
The task force from the Saegusa Family concluded that since there was no sign of mechanical failure, the target probably used magic to disrupt the optics.
This was the reason why the target had eluded them three hours ago and six hours ago. Thus, the hunt continued deep into the night.
Fortunately, this time they seemed to be right on the money.
Mayumi coordinated the collapsing ring of pursuers while opening a line of communication with Katsuto, who was still investigating in the Shiodome District.
Early in the week, Tatsuya found a rather familiar sight these past couple of days plopped in front of him in the classroom.
Erika was sprawled over her desk. She might have been better off coming to school later, since she seemed completely exhausted.
(Scratch that, did she pull an all-nighter?)
"……Um, shouldn’t we wake her up?"
Mizuki, who met them earlier at the station, asked him quietly.
She was so soundly asleep that even normal speaking volume failed to rouse her. Although Mizuki knew this at a glance, it was precisely Mizuki’s style to lower her volume even so.
"Just let her sleep."
Tatsuya’s reply was fairly simple. To be precise, it was the practical response.
Even if they managed to wake her, it was plain that she wouldn’t have access to major mental facilities prior to noon, though in reality, Tatsuya really didn’t have the spare energy to worry about other people’s mental framework at the moment.
In order to address Tatsuya’s lack of spare energy, we must return to half a day before.
Actually, coincidentally after Tatsuya and Miyuki finished dinner, the telephone rang.
Right now, this wasn’t exactly an odd hour for a call. –At least for the side who received the phone call.
However, this was late at night for the American West Coast and approached the time for the day change. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Tatsuya was a little nervous over what happened.
"Hello, Shizuku? Did something happen?"
As predicted, the one who appeared on the screen was her. However, her appearance that came through the picture was wholly expected.
Shizuku looked like she was wearing her pajamas. Following the height of fashion, her sleeping garment failed to include a robe.
Answering the phone in the living room was a bad idea. The large, high definition image projected a brilliant picture that was in no way inferior to real life.
Maybe it was because they were pajamas, but the light luminescent material was not covering much of Shizuku’s slim figure.
Tatsuya had seen Shizuku’s swimsuit during the summer, but the picture Shizuku presented now was even more alluring.
This was probably the effect of the faintly discernible hinting at the hidden portions. It was one thing if nothing could be seen, but the effect was aggravated when the curves were being hinted at.
Based on the image, Shizuku wasn’t wearing underclothes. Although the massive amounts of lace and trimmings covered up the important parts, if the article of clothing was slightly out of place then even the unmentionables would be revealed.
Under normal circumstances, even Tatsuya would raise an eyebrow. Fortunately, concern carried great weight on his part right now, so he wasn’t awkwardly flustered.
"Shizuku? What are you doing!?"
Yet, even someone of the same gender who caught a glimpse of this, Miyuki, was blushing – that’s how much she was flustered.
"Ah, Miyuki, good evening."
"Stop with the greeting! At least put on a robe!"
"……It’s OK, right?"
She wore an expression of skepticism, but Shizuku obediently pulled on a robe slowly.
"Sorry for the late hour."
Afterwards, she once again started the conversation anew after bowing her head.
"It’s not that late over here…… Wait, have you been drinking?"
Shizuku’s tone sounded tired but there was something strange, like an odd lint in her voice.
"Drink what?"
Of course that would be, no matter how much Tatsuya wanted to finish the comment, he opted to swallow his words. That was because he realized that voicing that aloud had achieved nothing since the dawn of time.
"Never mind, what were you speaking of?"
Her cognitive powers seemed to have declined as well, but she wouldn’t have called for no reason. Tatsuya determined that it was best to get the information from her as quickly as possible.
"Hm, I think I should tell you sooner rather than later."
Tell me what? Surely he should be praised for discerning the topic without blatantly asking the question.
"Do you already know? Impressive."
"Please praise me more."
Hearing Shizuku use a plain tone to flirt, Tatsuya suddenly felt a strong sense of powerlessness wash over him.
(……Who allowed Shizuku to drink?)
Shizuku was clearly inebriated. Given that, she appeared to have become more childish.
"No, you’re quite amazing, Shizuku. Then, what have you found out?"
It was not his intent to pressure the other side who was calling at a late hour (from her end), but it was probably better for everyone involved to end the call as soon as possible. Even if she was drunk, she wasn’t wasted enough to lose her memory.
"The reason behind the vampire’s appearance."
Still, this was a more central piece of the puzzle than he had expected. Tatsuya and Miyuki both leaned forward.
"String…… That is, something string related to black hole experiments."
"Huh? Black hole? Shizuku, what are you referring to?"
Immediately afterward, since there were a few unexpected and vague terms being bandied about, there was an array of question marks dancing over Miyuki’s head.
Exactly – over Miyuki’s head.
"I don’t know. I was planning on asking Tatsuya."
"Using string theory as a foundation to create miniature black holes? You are referring to the annihilation effect, correct?"
Tatsuya verified in a low, stiff voice.
"That’s it. You got it."
Shizuku seemed to have missed the alteration in the tone (there was no physical sign she picked up on that), but Miyuki timidly peeked at her brother’s expression.
"So they did that……"
His voice was steady as usual, no, perhaps more calm than his usual tone.
Yet, that was because Tatsuya had suffered a serious shock, a detail that no one else could understand save Miyuki.
"What is that?"
At this point, Miyuki really wanted to hang up. Using "It’s very late" as an excuse, she planned on terminating the call because she didn’t want to sour Tatsuya’s mood any worse than it was.
Unfortunately, before that could happen, Shizuku had already voiced a concise question,
"A detailed explanation would be too complex so I’ll be brief."
Tatsuya also began his answer.
"It is an experiment designed to extract energy out of a miniature version of an artificial black hole. Scientists believe that during the evaporation process of black hole creation, matter will be transformed into thermal energy. Their goal was to verify this."
Her attempt to terminate the conversation a failure, Miyuki had no choice but to listen to her brother’s explanation, but her heart was completely frazzled by the term energy transformation. The warning they received from their aunt rang once more in Miyuki’s mind.
"That’s string theory? That’s how they can extract energy from other dimensions?"
Of course, Shizuku was oblivious to Miyuki’s concerns and was simply immersed in the back and forth as a drunk scholar.
"No, the process of extracting energy is in itself unrelated to other dimensions. That’s because they have predicted the evaporation of the miniature black hole that has nothing to do with its creation process. String theory refers to the idea that this world is like the outer layer of another world of a higher order. In terms of physical energy, only gravity can permeate the dimensional barrier, so gravity allows most forms of energy to leak into other dimensions. This theory also implies that our dimension is only able to observe energy from higher dimensions at a much smaller scale. However, the tiny distance at the atomic level will still initiate a reaction with similar objects prior to leaking to another dimension and will have a greater gravitational attraction than normal. Thus, based on string theory, creation of a miniature black hole can be accomplished with minimal energy. That is the theoretical background behind the experiment to create an artificial black hole on a miniature scale using string theory."
"……Miyuki, did you get that?"
"Alas, no. I don’t really understand it either."
Seeing Shizuku shaking her head back and forth, Miyuki also smiled wryly and shook her head.
"But Onii-sama, how does this topic relate to the vampires……?"
Afterward, Miyuki hesitantly ventured forth a question while glancing upwards at her brother’s face at a close proximity.
Tatsuya glanced downward towards his sister and flicked his eyes over to Shizuku’s image before talking about a series of seemingly unconnected points.
"Energy is not required if the phenomenon alteration was done by magic. Nor is there any sign of physical energy being supplied. Everyone also believes that there is no ethereal energy within this physical realm that can be converted into physical energy. Nevertheless, Move-Type and Acceleration Magic have clearly altered energy values before and after magic invocation. Based on this, magic is not bound by the conservation of energy. Through magic, we can plainly see this law being circumvented."
"I recall that this is known as one of the greatest paradoxes within modern magic."
"That was the proposition, though the consensus is that the proposition itself was imperfect."
Tatsuya darted a quick glance at Shizuku’s expression over the monitor. Her speech was rather peculiar – almost as if she was stuttering. Regardless, there was no sign that she was going to fall asleep any time soon. Given how the light of curiosity danced across her eyes, there was little chance she would accept an excuse like "Let’s talk about it next time". Inebriated individuals were a little stubborn like that. After considering this, Tatsuya elected to continue.
"You are correct, Shizuku. Superficially, this appears to subvert the law of conservation of energy. In the first place, the law of conservation of energy is a deduced law, so it is impossible for physical phenomena to run counter to this.
So long as magic brings about a physical reaction, then at least restricted within those conditions, the law of conservation of energy should still be observed. While there may be short periods of time during psion activation where the law seems to be circumvented, energy conservation is still observed when taking the entire process into account post fact. Thus, when magic brings about a physical phenomenon, then within that event, the law of conservation of energy should still apply. Of course, the law of conservation of energy refers to the concept of energy remaining constant within a closed system. If there’s a record of fluctuating energy levels, then that must mean there is an observation error or that the system is not a closed one."
"Magic has observed that this world is not a closed system…… That certainly brings to mind string theory from our earlier conversation."
"I see! So the energy needed for magic is supplied by an alternate dimension?"
"Recently, we’ve seen a growing number of magic researchers supporting that theory. I too subscribe to this line of thinking. Working under the assumption that string theory is true, then we should consider what it means if gravity is the only force that can pass between alternate dimensions. What I am about to say has no theoretical basis and approaches pure speculation……"
Miyuki and Shizuku wordlessly watched Tatsuya’s contemplative look.
"It is a possibility that the gravity that acts in the alternate dimension is what supports the dimensional barrier. Under the assumption that magic breaks through this barrier, energy might be removed from the alternate dimension. While it is true that magic is a phenomenon that does not require energy, that does not guarantee that no energy is involved whatsoever. Even within observable parameters, there is a tendency for magic to fail when the total magic output is zero."
Mystified, Miyuki and Shizuku kept their eyes locked on Tatsuya as he looked inward.
"Most likely, the Magic Sequence reverses the insufficient energy needed for phenomena alteration and extracts that insufficient energy from the alternate dimension. In regard to the physical energy supply that cannot be observed, then if we assume that the energy from the alternate dimension has ethereal qualities, or more simply magical energy, then the law of conservation of physical energy is observed after the Magic Sequence is completed."
Although they did not completely understand what Tatsuya was saying, the two young ladies perked up their ears because they felt that his words were of vital importance to Magicians.
"The other side of the dimensional barrier contains a dimension filled with magical energy and, in order to prevent this energy from leaking to the physical dimension, gravity supports the dimensional barrier and prevents any leakage. However, magic can penetrate this barrier in order to make up for the deficiency in energy by drawing from magic energy. –My belief is that this is the system that solves the major paradox to modern magic. On the other hand, based on the miniature artificial black hole developed through calculations in string theory, gravity acting on the dimensional barrier would be wasted by the creation of the black hole. In that case, the dimensional barrier fluctuates the instant the black hole materializes."
"The dimensional barrier fluctuates…… What happens then?"
"Magical energy that is beyond the control of Magic Sequences may seep through……?"
Divided by the image, Miyuki and Shizuku shared a glance. The high definition camera and monitor displayed the terror that reflected in their eyes.
"Energy spontaneously structures itself and forms an information body. If not, the universe would have already turned into homogenous nothingness.
Magical energy from an alternate dimension should follow a similar pattern. The moment the dimensional barrier weakens, the possibility that magical energy from an alternate dimension invading this world in the form of information bodies is not zero. At least, that is my perspective."
On the other side of the monitor, Shizuku’s body was shaking slightly.
On this side, Miyuki latched onto Tatsuya’s arm as if she never wanted to let go.
Mikihiko finally showed up in class after the second period was over.
"Is it done?"
He wasn’t late.
Today, he was also being cared for in the infirmary.
"Tatsuya…… I hate you."
Initially, the tone was out of concern, but what came afterwards was a heavy tone of complaint.
"Hey, that’s not very friendly."
While the words were probably in jest, the emotions laden within were definitely true.
After overhearing those words, Mizuki shrank back in fright.
"If all I’m going to do is complain, you might as well let me vent it all out. After that, do you know how painful my memory of that ulcer was……?"
"Saegusa-senpai just sat there smiling without a single word, Erika shut her mouth with a totally displeased look on her face…… I was the only one who had to keep talking.
That empty feeling was like sitting on pins and needles."
"Didn’t Juumonji-senpai say anything?"
"Do you think that kind of person would do something so trivial like interfering?"
In that case, that’s true.
Mayumi, Erika, and Katsuto all acted in concert with their "personality".
"Well…… There’s no real reason, but I understand that must have been a tough time for you."
Mikihiko seemed to be a little healed by Mizuki’s undisguised words of comfort.
Next to Mizuki, Erika remained sprawled over her desk.
Erika finally revived around lunch time. Maybe because she was finally revitalized, she grabbed onto Mizuki and started complaining.
"Did you hear? Up until now, there was only one of them fleeing, but now suddenly there are three of them. Don’t you think that’s devious?"
Probably taking into account how terrible it would be if someone accidentally overheard them in the cafeteria, Erika skipped lunch and dragged Mizuki into an empty classroom – the lab that Mikihiko frequented.
"Um, is that so?"
Mizuki nodded to follow along, but in reality, she wasn’t entirely sure what Erika was referring to.
She hazarded a guess that this was about the "vampire" incident, but she wasn’t aware of the specifics. "Do we count vampires by ones or twos?" was the thought running through Mizuki’s head.
"……Before that, you better hurry to the cafeteria. Lunch break is almost over, right?"
"I’m not really hungry."
That’s because you’ve been asleep the whole time! Mizuki really wanted to point that out, but felt that doing so would throw Erika into an irretrievable sulk, so she opted against it.
(Ha…… I give up.)
She wasn’t fasting – not that she pursued that habit(?) – Mizuki absconded from lunch. There was no physical education or technical skills class later today, so skipping out on one meal wasn’t going to be that detrimental, she told herself. Compared to that, there was something she was more worried about.
"Hey, Erika-chan. Why did you get into a fight with Tatsuya?"
In that instant, Erika’s shoulders started shaking.
"W-what are you talking about, Mizuki. We totally aren’t. Definitely not."
She emphatically shook her head and waved both hands.
As a result of letting her hair grow out since spring, her long ponytail – Erika’s favorite hairstyle – also danced back and forth with her head.
"There’s no need to panic…… It’s not like I thought Erika-chan did something to Tatsuya.
Even if you cause a fuss, wouldn’t Tatsuya just smile and accept it?
So if Erika-chan was the reason, there is no way there could be conflict between the two of you."
"Um, well, I’m really not sure if that was a compliment or an insult……"
Just like her words, Erika wore an "undecided" expression as she lodged a protest. Probably.
"I am doing neither. I am merely stating the situation as it is."
On the other hand, Mizuki decisively pressed on.
"Even if you put it like that, I still feel I can’t accept that!"
"Yes, yes. At any rate, I don’t think Erika-chan is the reason."
The indignant riposte that was lacking in fervor was easily ignored.
"Mizuki, you’ve gotten stronger……"
"If you don’t want to talk about it, do you think I will stop asking?"
Erika’s attempt to use a comedic line to muddle the issue was met with a fastball right back at her.
Powerlessly, Erika slumped down.
"We’re really not fighting…… It’s just that I’m feeling awkward from my side.
I don’t plan on dragging this into tomorrow, so can you go easy on me today?"
Her head tilted, Erika weakly peeked out between the gaps between her hair and arms.
Hm~, Mizuki also tilted her head slightly and tapped her index finger on her chin.
Her hair had a slight tendency to curl inwards and the shoulder-length tresses matched her head’s swaying motion.
Swiftly after she did so, her head straightened.
"Since you are able to say that you’ll be back to normal by tomorrow, I guess that’s OK."
Her mood appeared to be headed in the direction that Erika was hoping for.
"Yeah, seriously…… Ah~, how annoying."
Originally, even Erika didn’t believe that nonsense about returning to normal by tomorrow.
After coming to some sort of realization, Erika rose with a lethargic expression.
"In the end, we were probably only flirting with Tatsuya. We plainly never requested Tatsuya-kun to 'lend us a hand' and worked under the assumption that even if we didn’t say anything, he would still chip in to help. So I was furious~ when I saw that he was also helping that woman and keeping a foot in either camp…… Damn it, I’m getting embarrassed again."
In between the gaps of the arms covering her face, a hint of a blush could be seen. Her embarrassment was not just restricted to her words.
Seeing this oddly adorable appearance, Mizuki sighed deeply.
"……What, that sigh of yours was like saying 'you amaze me from the bottom of my heart'."
"While I’m not sure if it’s from the bottom of my heart, the first part is true."
Mizuki rolled her eyes in response to the sharp glance Erika sent her way from beneath her fingers.
The edge gradually disappeared from Erika’s eyes.
Mizuki shifted herself so she was right in front of Erika (she just changed the orientation of her seat) before reaching out and plucked away the arms covering Erika’s face.
"So in the end, you’re just stubbornly stuck in a pit of self-loathing…… I think this sort of thing qualifies as a 'soliloquy'."
"Ouch! Mizuki mercilessly stabbed my chest with her words~."
"I’m being very serious."
"……I’m sorry."
Though there was no emotion behind those words, Erika’s body seemed to shrink even more.
"To put it bluntly, Erika-chan, you can’t rely on Tatsuya-kun to take the first step to approach."
"……Just like I thought?"
"I’m not certain if you’re really in pursuit or not, but if all you do is hide, then he’s really going to put you aside, right?
In the first place, Miyuki-san occupies everything in Tatsuya’s head. Even if you don’t make any overt gestures, if you don’t at least make an effort to remain in his field of vision, then will he even remember you?"
"……That, is a definite possibility."
"I think I can safely say that the idea of Tatsuya actively paying that kind of attention to Erika is definitely false. I’m certain that you’re actually missing out if you start off with that assumption."
"Yeah…… You have a point.
That guy has nerves of steel and calling him slow on the uptake would be too kind to him. With him as an opponent, being embarrassed won’t get me anywhere."
Erika tightly clenched her fingers.
Seeing this, Mizuki revealed a warm, nurturing smile.
This was the scene that greeted Mikihiko when he walked in.
"Ah, so it’s true that you guys didn’t get anything."
As soon as he entered, Mikihiko uttered these words.
Before the two of them could ask "what are you talking about?", Mikihiko pulled out two sandwiches from the plastic bag in his hand.
"Here, Erika, this one has tuna, potato and carrots. Shibata-san wants the egg sandwich, correct?"
"Eh, how?"
"T-thank you."
"You’re welcome."
That was in response to Mizuki’s reply.
"No reason in particular.
If you don’t eat anything, you’ll still be hungry even if you did nothing but sleep, no?"
Afterwards, that reply was for Erika’s question.
"Ho~…… Miki, you’re becoming more observant."
"I would like to say you’re welcome, but these are from Tatsuya.
Since you appear to be avoiding him, he had me bring them to you."
Hearing Mikihiko’s words, Erika and Mizuki exchanged a glance.
"So he didn’t forget……"
"Looks like you’ve not been put aside……"
Suddenly, Erika sprang up in a determined manner.
"W-what is it?"
Erika adopted a victorious posture before the wide-eyed Mizuki.
"If you have your own thoughts on the matter then so do I, Tatsuya-kun!
I will not resign myself to being treated like empty space!"
"You clearly fled when he was paying attention to you."
"Miki, did you say something?"
"Nope. I just said that you better eat quickly."
Mikihiko pulled out his own sandwich and replied back without sparing her another glance.
As expected of childhood friends. Even though he occasionally stepped on a landmine, he was still adept at handling Erika.
At any rate, Erika calmed down and took a seat. Immediately afterward, the three of them started eating their sandwiches.
"Ouch……!"
All of a sudden, Mizuki’s face tightened as she quickly shut her eyes. Erika deftly caught the egg sandwich that fell from her fingers. However, since that was more reflex, both she and Mikihiko kept their eyes on Mizuki, who was in the throes of pain. Mizuki removed her glasses and pressed her hands to her eyes.
Broken groans slipped from her mouth.
"……What is…… This…… This sort of aura, I’ve never seen……"
Noticing that something was amiss, Mikihiko hurriedly pulled out a talisman and cast a barrier that blocked out spirits. Although it was against school rules to bring CADs onto campus, no one present gave a damn about that right now.
"This, 'demonic' presence……"
They weren’t psions, but pushion waves. This was why Erika couldn’t possibly know and Mikihiko was only aware after focusing himself.
Pure "demonic" waves permeated the barrier and came through.
Given its ability to penetrate the lens, it was not surprising that power of this strength was able to affect Mizuki’s eyes.
"Shibata-san, put on your glasses."
However, with a barrier in place, the protective lens should be able to fend off the waves.
As Mikihiko suspected, Mizuki was able to adopt a relaxed posture after putting her glasses back on.
With that, they finally had a spare moment to contemplate what happened –
—Pale faced, Erika and Mikihiko exchanged a look.
"Don’t tell me, the vampire is here at school?"
"How brave! Miki, where is it?"
Springing to her feet in a lively manner, Erika paid no heed to the clatter of her chair falling to the ground. She advanced on Mikihiko with a vibrant expression.
"Erika, relax."
Mikihiko also rose and used a calm tone to deliver a solemn response.
"First of all, we need our equipment. I don’t feel secure with just talismans."
"……That’s true. Mizuki, wait here in the classroom."
"I’m going too."
Erika made the obvious request, but Mizuki shook her head.
"Mizuki?"
"I have a feeling that I’ll be better off if I go. As for a reason…… I’m not really sure."
Her tone remained gentle, but contained a mettle that could not be dissuaded.
"……Understood. However, please don’t leave my side."
"Miki?"
Erika’s eyes widened at Mikihiko’s unexpected words.
Still, his words were the product of careful thought instead of being purely circumstantial.
"One person alone would be easy prey, whereas a group can handle attacks more easily.
In addition, Shibata-san’s eyes should prove a major asset."
"Ha…… Miki, then you shall bear the responsibility of protecting Mizuki."
Any more words on this subject would just be a waste of time, so Erika started walking towards the office where CADs were held. Mikihiko was one step behind her. Both he and Mizuki knew that this wasn’t the time and place for any teenage romantic scenes. Nonetheless, in order to make sure Mizuki wasn’t left behind, there was nothing he could do except make sure he held her hand in his – that was how Mikihiko persuaded himself.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login